Aerospace Diary

Posted by- Neelam Mathews July 31, 2011 Air Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne, who has logged 3,100 hours has taken over as Chief of the Indian Air Force from Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik. In his address to the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Browne said: “The IAF is well poised on the path of transforming itself into a potent strategic force”. Outlining his vision statement for the IAF, he said: “While induction of the state of the art equipment and systems would lead to a major upgradation of our combat potential, our biggest strength, ‘Our People’ must receive our highest attention.” “In whatever capacity you serve in the Indian Air Force, you remain our most valuable asset”, he added. “While change is the hallmark of growth and progress, the biggest challenge facing us in the coming years, is to manage this fast paced change effectively, without compromising on high operational standards. Operating across a broad spectrum of equipment vintage, would test our innovativeness and c...

Neelam Mathews- Posting a dispatch from Travel Impact Newswire. The views expressed are by the author are not those of Aerospace Diary.  In yet another eye-opening research paper, a senior lecturer at the Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, has highlighted how the global public fear of Islam/Muslims gives the military-industrial complex a chance to reap billions. Published in the July 2011 edition of “Islamic and Civilisational Renewal,” the journal of the Malaysia-based International Institute of Advanced Islamic studies, ( published by Pluto Journals , abstract available here ) the paper by Senior Lecturer Arthur Buehler, School of Art History, Classics and Religious Studies, is entitled “Islamophobia: A Projection of the West’s Dark Side.” As academic papers are sent for approval months in advance, the timing of its publication is a pure coincidence in relation to the 22/7 attacks in Norway by a white supremacist terrorist. But it has broken new ground in helping...

Neelam Mathews July 30, 2011 The speculation whether Star Alliance might reject Air India will come to rest on July 31 when the executive board of the alliance meets. Aerospace Diary learns that Air India may be given a final extension to get its act in order to join the alliance. The decision if made in the carrier’s favor, will hardly be surprising since the national carrier holds government ropes to foreign carriers' additional flights to India. Air India has also paid a hefty initial joining fee to Star.  Air India has delayed entry into Star by around three years already. While the merger of Air India and Indian Airlines that required a common code was an issue, constant announcements of joining dates followed by delays has not helped in retrieving the carrier’s image. While there is no doubt that the final joining ceremony will be an extravagant fanfare, the loss suffered by Star partners may not be easily forgotten. The record of Egypt Air joining the allia...

Neelam Mathews July29, 2011 Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma has taken over as the Chairman, Chief of Staff Committee (COSC) today. Verma received the baton of Chairman, COSC from outgoing Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal PV Naik in a brief ceremonial function at South Block. Chief of Army Staff, Gen VK Singh was also present along with other senior officers from the services. Commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1970, Admiral Nirmal Verma is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare, with four decades of experience spanning across various afloat and ashore appointments. His sea tenures include commands of INS Ranvir, a Kashin Class Destroyer and the Aircraft   Carrier, INS Viraat. He is an alumnus of the Royal Naval Staff College, Greenwich, UK and the US Naval War College, Rhode Island. In the Flag Rank, he has been the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy & Plans), the Chief of Personnel, Vice...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews July 29, 2011 Time: 3:40pm IST Thales and Dassault Aviation signed a contract an hour ago for the upgrade of the 51 Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 fleet. The upgrade will further enhance the technical-operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force Mirage 2000s, say the two companies in a joint statement. India recently awarded the upgrade contract to Dassault for $2.4billion according to reports. However, an official told Aerospace Diary, “the amount is significantly lower.”This could not be confirmed. The upgrade includes retrofitting the Mirages with new avionics including the Thales' RDY-2 multimode radar and MBDA's MICA air-to-air missiles among other equipment. It is not clear if the contract amount includes the missiles. Thales will now need to tap its existing and potential partners for offsets including finalization of its JV with Samtel. Dassault Aviation and Thales “are highly appreciative of the Indian government's continuin...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews July 29, 2011 Korean Air has ordered ten Bombardier Aerospace CS300 aircraft. The transaction also includes options on 10 CS300 aircraft and purchase rights for an additional 10 CS300 aircraft. The firm order makes Korean Air, South Korea's flagship airline, the launch customer for the CSeries aircraft in Asia. The airline currently operates a fleet of 137 passenger and cargo jet aircraft to 115 cities in 39 countries. Korean Air's CS300 aircraft will be powered by Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan PW1521G engines designed for the growing 100- to 149-seat market.   "Korean Air's selection of the CSeries aircraft to meet its route expansion requirements in the Asia-Pacific market, and our growing list of customers in the European and North American markets are testaments to the high value and operational flexibility of the CSeries aircraft program," said Gary R. Scott, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft.

Neelam Mathews July 29, 2011 Despite growing traffic , even as India awaits the bounce back of its national carrier and keeps the door closed to the mighty and much loved A-380 of carriers such as Lufthansa and SIA, Emirates Airline will start flying its A380s on flights to Kuala Lumpur and Rome from December 1.  The A-380 will then be flying to 16 destinations- up from the present 14. This is the first time Malaysia will get an A-380 on regular scheduled passenger flights.   Emirates offers three direct flights per day between Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. Emirates is the largest customer for the A380. It has, currently, 15 in operation on services from its Dubai hub to London Heathrow (double-daily), Manchester, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Toronto, Seoul, Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai, Jeddah, New York, Hong Kong, Sydney and Auckland.  From October 1, it will also start flying the A-380 to Johannesburg and possibly to Melbourne from early next year.

Posted by- Neelam Mathews July 28, 20 11 The Indian Navy will see three key appointments starting July 29. Rear Admiral MT Moraes will take over as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Submarines) in Delhi. Rear Admiral Srikant will take over as Flag Officer Submarines (FOSM) based at Visakhapatnam and Rear Admiral G Ashok Kumar will take over as Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) at Kochi. ACNS (SM) looks after perspective planning and acquisition of submarines for the Indian Navy. A role that assumes critical importance as the Indian Navy is pursuing vital submarine acquisition plans, says IN. FOSM is the class authority on submarines and is responsible for defining standards, policies and procedures for operations and maintenance of submarines in the Indian Navy. FOST is the authority responsible for operational sea training and work up of all surface ships.

Statement by Anil Shrikhande, President Rolls-Royce India following Rolls Royce results announced today-   “The Results announced today demonstrate the positive progress Rolls-Royce is making around the world - about 40% of the £8.7bn in orders secured during the first half were from customers in the Asia region, which is increasingly important to us.  As you are aware Rolls-Royce has a trusted relationship with India since 1932 leading with its civil aerospace and defence aerospace sectors. Currently, all our businesses are well represented here and India is playing a growing role in the scale of our global operations. From licensed production to engineering services and component manufacture, the Rolls-Royce business continues to expand.  We will continue to develop our vision for Rolls-Royce in India as a leading power systems company, deeply embedded in India’s industrial fabric and visibly contributing to its infrastructure and modernization needs. This is an ...

  Neelam Mathews July 28, 2011 One of Japan's major private railway companies Keikyu Corporation and airlines’ alliance Oneworld are jointly organising the "Oneworld Festival" in Tokyo from Aug.1 to October 30. Oneworld will grow to a membership of 15 airlines by the end of 2012 when current members-elect airberlin, Kingfisher Airlines and Malaysia Airlines officially join as full-fledged members. Members - American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Japan Airlines and Qantas Airways - operate flights serving Tokyo Narita International Airport . The three-month long festival will include a stamp rally that runs through nine of the busiest train stations in Tokyo, Quizzes at stations, where participants can learn about aircraft and trains, a lucky draw to win tickets on OneWorld airlines flying to Japan, and prizes. Exhibitions are being organized at hotels featuring a display of historical images of the companies. Throughout the festival, Keik...

Posted by Neelam Mathews July 28, 2011 The aircraft manufacturing division of Mahindra Aerospace, GippsAERO, and Rolls Royce have signed an agreement to partner on engine technology for a new aircraft. The signing was held at AirVentures 2011 in Oshkosh. The agreement will be to integrate the M250 B-17F/2 Rolls Royce engine into the GA10 aircraft. The GA10, GippsAERO’s offering in general aviation, is currently being developed by GippsAERO at its Morwell, Australia plant. The parties will work together to obtain Type Certification for the GA10 aircraft. The GA10 project is currently in the prototype design phase with certification process to begin in March 2012 and entry into service scheduled for 2013. Terry Miles, CEO of GippsAERO said: “The development of the GA10 TP will add a new dimension to the GippsAERO product range, and with M250 B-17F/2 power will open new market segments across the globe since the aircraft will offer lowest cost per seat in its class and best in clas...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews July 27, 2011   “Both India and US understand the importance of a strong financial system. But we must also keep in mind the potential risk from illicit financing. The need to recognize this and how it is used in financing terrorist activities has become a critical part of the relationship between the two countries” said  Daniel L. Glaser, Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing, US Treasury  addressing a session of the U.S India Private Financial Sector Dialogue organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and U.S India Business Council (USIBC)  in Mumbai. Critical issues including combating illicit terrorist financing and new payment technologies for financial inclusion, were discussed.   “India and the US need to share best practices to combat terrorist financing. India plays a very important role in combating global terrorist financing. It is important that the two countries co...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews July 2011 Tibet Airlines, the only carrier based in Lhasa, has started operations with a direct flight connecting Beijing and Lhasa. State-owned Tibet Investment Co. holds 51 percent of the carrier established in May 2010 while two companies – Tibet Sanli Investment Company and Tibet Ruiyi Investment Company, own 39 percent and 10 percent, respectively. Presently TAC has one Airbus A319 with plans to add   20 by 2015. The systems have been modified to supply oxygen for 55 minutes, compared with the usual time of 22 minutes for aircraft that don't serve the plateau region, Tao Wenge, spokesmanof Airbus China Ltd, said. TAC plans to offer four services a day connecting Lhasa, Ngari and Chengdu, in Sichuan province. Each flight will take about two hours.  Tibet Airlines plans to start flights to Europe by 2015 or 2016.

Posted by- Neelam Mathews July 27, 2011 As India struggles to get its MRO business moving, ST Aerospace has sealed over S$260m worth of new maintenance contracts in the second quarter of 2011.  Ranging from three to 12 months, these contracts for the Aircraft Maintenance & Modification, Component Total Support and Engine Total Support businesses will be carried out at its facilities in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe.  The value of the contracts excludes the recent announcement of the 20-year logistics support contract for the 12 M346 aircraft, of which the first year’s contract value is estimated at about S$50million, says a statement. The new airframe contracts secured for the Aircraft Maintenance & Modification business group cover line maintenance, base maintenance, heavy maintenance, passenger-to-freighter (PTF) conversion and interior refurbishment on various commercial and military aircraft platforms.   For the three months ended June 2011, S...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews July 27, 2011 India 's second Shivalik class indigenous stealth frigate designed by the Indian Naval Design team is scheduled to be commissioned on Aug. 20. The frigate will be the be the mainstay of Indian Navy frigates for the first half of the 21st century, says a statement.  The Shivalik Class Guided-missile frigate has a displacement of  6200 tons,  Length: 142.5 m. (468 ft) Beam: 16.9 m.(55 ft) Propulsion: 2 x Pielstick 16 PA6 STC Diesel engines & 2 x GE LM2500+ boost turbines in CODOG configuration. It as a speed of 32 knots (59 km/h), 22 knots (41 km/h) (Diesel Engines) Complements 257 (35 officers) Sensors and processing systems: 1 x MR-760 Fregat M2EM 3-D radar 4 x MR-90 Orekh radar. More- 1 x EL/M 2238 STAR 2 x EL/M 2221 STGR 1 x BEL APARNA HUMSA (Hull Mounted Sonar Array) ATAS/Thales Sintra towed array systems Electronic warfare and decoys: BEL Ajanta electronic warfare suite Armament: OTO Melara 76mm SRGM ...

Neelam Mathews July 27, 2011 Time- 1:43pm IST The learning never ends. India is to release another offset policy that is expected to be more consolidated and liberal, Aerospace Diary learns. The policy is expected to be released in a month or so. While the DPP 2006 will be valid for procurement procedures for the MMRCA, the offset benefits outlined in the new policy will be applicable to the MMRCA project if it is released before the contract is awarded. The new policy is required as structural changes have to be brought in.Transfer of Technology too, is a major issue. While the government is interested in giving credits, it needs to define the technology it will need. The policy expects to bring out a list of technologies that will qualify for offset credoit. For this, a set of multipliers eligible, too will need to be defined. Valuation in FDI for non-cash equity, too is being defined. In the aviation arena, there remain some irksome issues including treatment of ser...

Posted by -Neelam Mathews July 26, 2011 Embraer Defense and Security has selected the Goodrich Corporation to provide the electro-hydrostatic actuators (EHA), electro-backup hydrostatic actuators (EBHA), actuator electronics, and electrical controls for the primary flight control system of the KC-390 military transport aircraft. The company has selected BAE  Systems to provide hardware, embedded software, system design and integration support of  the flight control electronics for the KC-390 military transport jet.“ Goodrich will develop and deliver the system through the joint efforts of its businesses Actuation Systems and Engine Control & Electrical Power Systems, as well as the Goodrich Electronic Systems Center. The flight tests of the KC-390 are expected to begin in 2014 and the aircraft should go into service at the end of 2015. Meanwhile, BAE Systems will supply flight control computers and actuator control electronics for the KC-390. The system will be d...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews July 26, 2011 Mahindra Aerospace and Mahindra Satyam have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a trade partnership with the Eurocopter Group and its Indian subsidiary, Eurocopter India.  The partnership will be focused on manufacturing of sub assemblies, engineering and customization of civil helicopters and the joint development of specific market segments. Details of the scope and structure of the partnership will be decided in the coming months, says a statement. Lutz Bertling, President and CEO of Eurocopter pointed out that “the synergies between our two companies will enhance our contributions to the Indian civil helicopter market.”  “Eurocopter has a solid, long term strategy for the growth of the India market, while we are already creating a niche for ourselves in the fixed-wing aircraft and aerostructures manufacturing space. We see this MOU as a significant step forward for both of us as well as the domestic aviation indust...

Neelam Mathews July 25, 2011 After many deadlines passing even as our national carrier keeps saying it will join Star Alliance “on time”, we are nearing its latest deadline of July 31 given to it by its alliance partners to complete all joining requirements. One would think that’s hell of a way to start a relationship! Air India has once again proved the concept of timelines is dated.  “The meeting which took place on Monday, 18 July 2011, between the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation, Air India and Star Alliance is one of many meetings which have taken place during the integration process. The attending parties discussed the current stance of the Air India integration process into the Star Alliance network. This process is ongoing and needs to be completed by the end of July this year. As with any new member carrier, the final acceptance of Air India is also subject to a vote by all existing Star Alliance member carriers, which is the final confirmation that all joining require...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews July 25, 2011 Embraer Defense and Security has selected the  IAE's V2500-E5 engine to equip the KC-390 military transport jet. “The selection of IAE’s V2500-E5 brings about the merger of a well-known and proven engine with a winning clean-sheet design military program. It is very important for us to finish the selection of our main suppliers and partners, in order to begin working with them in this new phase,” said Luiz Carlos Aguiar, President, Embraer Defense and Security, in a statement. The first deliveries of the V2500-E5 engines for the KC-390 prototypes are scheduled for 2013, and the flight tests for 2014. The aircraft should go into service in 2015. “We are very pleased to provide the V2500 power plants for this new multi-role military aircraft being developed and produced by Embraer,” said Ian Aitken, President and CEO of IAE. “This military application for our V2500 engine substantially opens a market that we have not done business in befor...

Neelam Mathews July 25, 2011 Time: 5:59pm IST The Indian Navy has issued an RFP for Expendable Aerial Targets for a sizeable quantity, Aerospace Diary learns. The last date for submission of  bids is in Oct. It is expected EADS, Meggitt, BEL and Kadet Defence Systems will be some of the contenders. Kadet will be fielding a new product for the bid, which we learn has not been christened as yet. While the government gives a waiver for imported content used in a product, for the indigenous industry to leap ahead, test ranges are sorely lacking for testing products. "The government could allow use of one or two ranges for Indian companies to test their products. This would give a big boost to the industry,” says a manufacturer. Often, indigenous companies have to travel as far as U.S to test products despite resources being available but restricted (except to DRDO) in India. An effort is on by some players to start discussions with the government to take a look at this anomaly...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews July 25, 2011 The 115th Meeting of the Offshore Security Co-ordination Committee (OSCC) was held at Mumbai under the Chairmanship of Vice Admiral Anil Chopra, AVSM, Director General Indian Coast Guard, to review and enhance the security of the offshore installations. Issues related to threat of piracy and terrorism, monsoon preparedness, advanced security equipment for offshore platforms, danger from unseaworthy ships, Emergency Towing Vessels were discussed. Chopra highlighted the present security scenario and stated that following firm intelligence inputs on threats to the Oil and Gas installations, all agencies should institute additional measures to enhance the security of offshore installations through effective surveillance, stringent access control, surprise checks and dedicated look-outs.  A number of measures have been initiated by both the Navy and the Coast Guard for surveillance and security of the ODA, by regular deployment of sh...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews July 25, 2011 Singapore Airlines will boost capacity on the Singapore–Jakarta route to meet increased demand, with the introduction of an eighth daily service from 15 September 2011   While international double dailies  have yet to become a norm in India, liberalized Singapore now has national carrier introducing its eight daily to Jakarta. This also implies the grwth in leisure, business and onward traffic between the two destinations. The enhanced schedule offers customers more flights to choose from, in turn providing more connection choices in Singapore or beyond Jakarta to Indonesian domestic flights. The additional service will be operated by 288-seat Boeing 777-200 aircraft in a three-class configuration, says SIA. With the additional daily flight, Singapore Airlines will operate a total of 77 weekly flights to Indonesia, including 21 weekly flights to the holiday island of Bali. Regional arm SilkAir also operates 53 flights per week to ...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews July 24, 2011 Forgive me for carrying this blatant advertisement, but two passions close to my heart are merging in Singapore- Formula One and Aviation. Grab the opportunity to experience heart thumping motorsport action at the upcoming 2011 Formula 1 SingTel Singapore Grand Prix , by taking advantage of AirAsia’s low, low fares offered by its latest exciting promotion, ‘Are You AirAsia’s Uber GP Fan?’ The airline’s latest promotion present guests with direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore for the GP with all-in, low fares from as low as R M49 . Indians can ofcourse fly from India to KL by AirAsia. Booking period for this promotion is from 25th July – 7 August, for the travel period between 8 August – 16 November. Bookings can be made through AirAsia’s website at www.airasia.com or via mobile devices at mobile.airasia.com . This promotion also offers great low-fare deals to Singapore from Langkawi, Penang, Kuching, Miri and ...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews July 24, 2011 Bahrain- based Gulf Air launched a local advertising campaign – Straight from the Heart - designed to win the hearts and minds of its customers it lost in recent months. The documentary-stylecampaign will run across key commercial television networks, radio, online and billboards.  “We wanted to break away from the traditional airline advertising in the region, which is either aspirational or promotionally driven; this ‘straight from the heart’ campaign engages with our audience directly and emotionally. We are the first airline in the region to run a testimonial campaign that features real people from various walks of life talking about their real experiences in their own words,” said Shehab Saeed, senior manager. The ads feature representatives from across the airline’s  customer segments including children, business people and empty-nesters talking about why they fly Gulf Air and its importance to them.

Posted by- Neelam Mathews July 23, 2011 Here is the AIA statement. Nobody thought it could come to this! It’s very disturbing that after 20 short-term extensions and almost four years without an FAA authorization bill, Congress decided to let FAA partially shut down today.   At midnight tonight, roughly 4,000 employees will be sent home and important airport projects and improvements like the Next Generation Air Transportation System will stop.  Especially perplexing is that while the country worries about our nation’s fiscal health, this congressional impasse will cost the government over $200 million a week in lost revenue. Yet, despite this unprecedented distraction, FAA will operate our national airspace system as safely as always.  Airlines, pilots and the planes they fly will be as trustworthy as ever. You can be sure if today’s decision meant a full FAA shutdown causing lawmakers to feel the wrath of grounded constituents in the middle of summer vacatio...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews- courtesy a reader. July 22, 2011 T he Volkswagen Aqua is a futuristic hovercraft concept created by Yuhan Zhang, a 21 year old designer from China. Yuhan just graduated with honors from Xihua University with a degree in Industrial Design. Currently she's in the process of selecting a Transportation Design course to further her studies.  The Volkswagen Aqua is designed to cope with the wide variety of terrain which covers China. From the lakes, rivers and coastal waters, to the roads, wetlands and snow and ice. The concept was shortlisted in the CDN Car Design Awards China, based on the brief entitled simply; "Chinese off-road vehicle" by Volkswagen.  Like most hovercraft, the Volkswagen Aqua uses more than one engine. The primary motor, which is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, is used to drive the main fan which inflates the skirt around the vehicle and raises the Aqua just above the ground. The fans at the rear of the vehicle are powered by...